By Francesca Hangeior

The Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Obalanlege, has decried the lack of healthcare facilities in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, revealing that only one general hospital serves the over two million residents.

According to the monarch, the general hospital, which was initially a small cottage hospital, has been upgraded but is still inadequate to cater to the healthcare needs of the large population.

The monarch noted that the situation was a clear indication of the marginalisation of the people of the area.

He lamented that the lack of health facilities to take care of the health needs of the residents forced them to rely heavily on expensive private hospitals.

“In this local government, we only have one government institution, and a general hospital serving a population that is larger than that of Yewa and Egba. We are over two million in Ado-Odo Ota LG. How can one small cottage hospital, which has been upgraded to a general hospital, take care of such a large population?

“So, we find that we mostly depend on private institutions. Our people rely more on private hospitals and private universities, as there are no state government agencies here. We are marginalised,” he stated.

Obalanlege, who is also the chairman of the Awori Obas Forum, lamented that there were no government or state agencies within the local government, adding that the people relied heavily on private institutions.

The monarch added that the lack of government agencies and state institutions in the area has made seeking healthcare services difficult for the people.

“We have no government or state agencies within this local government. Our people rely more on private hospitals and private universities. This is not fair, and we demand that the government takes immediate action to address this imbalance,” the monarch said.

The monarch also called on the government to create more local governments in the area, citing the large population and the need for more representation.

“When elections come up, our population is more than the total number of people in Yewa land. So, we want the government to create about 14 local governments because they will be viable. None of the local governments will depend on the government,” the monarch said.

The monarch emphasised that the creation of more local governments would not only provide more representation but also lead to more development in the area.

He added, “We believe we have been marginalised and deserve more than four or five local governments. We are asking for 14 and are waiting for them to act on it.”

The monarch also expressed disappointment that despite the deputy governor of the state coming from the area, the local government still lacks basic infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.

“The fact that the deputy governor came from this area does not mean that we are not marginalized. We are seriously marginalised, and you can see that through development factors,” the monarch said.

The monarch’s call for more healthcare facilities and representation comes as the state government has been accused of neglecting the area.

Residents of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area have long complained about the lack of basic infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, schools, and roads.

The situation has led to a significant increase in the number of private hospitals and universities in the area, which many residents cannot afford.

“We are forced to pay exorbitant fees for healthcare services because the government has failed to provide adequate facilities,” a community leader in the LG identified as Oluwanifemi Adenuga told PUNCH Healthwise.

Adenuga called on the government to take immediate action to address the situation, citing the risk to public health.

“The government must act now to provide more healthcare facilities and representation for our people. We cannot continue to rely on private institutions, which are expensive and often inadequate,” he said.

Experts advocate donation of deceased persons’ organs to address shortage
The Nigerian Association of Nephrology and the Transplant Association of Nigeria have advocated the use of vital organs from deceased persons to address the shortage of organs for transplantation in the country.

A professor at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Jacob Awobusuyi, who is the president of the two associations, highlighted the challenges faced in facilitating kidney transplantation in the country.

One of the key issues, according to him, is that many patients have the financial resources for a transplant but struggle with the lack of suitable organ donors.

While noting that this challenge is a global issue, the professor lamented that the situation was worse in Nigeria due to a lack of awareness surrounding the ethical practice of organ donation and the cultural sensitivities tied to it.

Awobusuyi, however, explained that the two associations were working towards implementing a system in Nigeria similar to global practices, where organs from deceased individuals, particularly those who are brain-dead but maintained on life support, are used for transplantation.

The don emphasised that the practice of organ donation, as implemented in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, can be successfully replicated in Nigeria with proper public awareness and ethical standards.

He noted that the use of organs from deceased persons could help to address the shortage of organs for transplantation in Nigeria and to save many lives.

To further clarify, he explained that for an organ donation to take place, the individual must be diagnosed as brain dead, a process that involves rigorous medical testing to confirm the irreversible loss of brain function.

According to him, only after this diagnosis, and once the individual is maintained on life support to preserve the organs, can the family be approached with the option of donating the organs to those in need.

Awobusuyi stressed that the use of organs from deceased persons would require the consent of the family of the deceased and would be done in a culturally acceptable and ethical manner.

“Consent from the family is paramount in this process. It is not about just taking organs from the deceased; it is a process that requires the full participation of the family, and the government and hospitals cannot authorise the donation without this consent.

“One of the major goals of this initiative is to create a nationwide system that will allow for the seamless distribution of organs across Nigeria. This means that an individual who dies in a far-flung region like Maiduguri could potentially donate an organ to a patient in Lagos or any other part of the country, should the need arise,” he said.

Awobusuyi revealed that a central working committee, made up of specialists in nephrology, ophthalmology, and liver transplantation, is collaborating with the government and experts from the Nigerian diaspora to bring this vision to fruition.

While significant strides are being made, the don said the need for increased public awareness remains a top priority for the initiative.

Awobusuyi noted that the committee is working to create public awareness about the use of organs from deceased persons and to ensure that the programme is implemented in a culturally acceptable and ethical manner.

He emphasised that the programme would require the support of the government, the media, and other stakeholders to create public awareness.

The professor, however, acknowledged the prevalent misconceptions that often surround organ harvesting, such as the belief that organs are stolen for ritual purposes.

He added, “The process is legal, ethical, and will be carried out in accordance with medical standards.

“Without proper public enlightenment, Nigerians may remain hesitant or opposed to the practice of organ donation. Through education, the initiative hopes to dispel misconceptions and increase the availability of vital organs for those in need of life-saving transplants.

“As the programme progresses, the ultimate goal is to create a system that ensures every Nigerian has access to organ transplantation, whether they are in need of a kidney, liver, heart, or even a cornea for sight restoration.”

He also argued that Nigeria could overcome its organ donation challenges, ensuring that more lives are saved through the selfless act of donation.

By Francesca Hangeior

The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, has urged the Rivers State House of Assembly and other actors in the ongoing political unrest in the state to leave the Judiciary arm out of the imbroglio.

The eight branches of the NBA in the state, in a press statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, stated that they would not allow another shutdown of the court in the state.

The press statement was jointly signed by Cordelia U. Eke (Mrs) Chairman, Port Harcourt Branch, Hilda Desmond-lhekaire (PhD), Chairman Ahoada Branch, Simple Dioha, Esq., Chairman, Isiokpo Branch, Abiye A. Abo, Esq., Chairman, Degema Branch, Dr. N.A. Duson, Chairman, Bori Branch, Dr. Celestine N. Nwankwo, Chairman, Okehi Branch, Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Esq., Chairman, Okrika Branch, and Ekeledinichukwu Ordu, Esq., Chairman, Omoku Branch.

Addressing the press on behalf of the eight branch chairmen, Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Esq., the Chairman, Okrika Branch, said the attention of the eight branches of the NBA has been drawn to a call by the House of Assembly on the Department of State Security, DSS, to investigate the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Amadi, describing the development as unfortunate.

Roberts cautioned that the judiciary should not be dragged into the political imbroglio in the state, adding the judiciary cannot afford to experience shutdown of courts in the state.

He said: “The attention of the 8 branches of the NBA in Rivers State, has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th of March, 2025 directing the Department of State Security (DSS) to investigate the Rivers State Chief Judge on allegations of falsification of age. It is quite unfortunate, that despite the already heated polity in Rivers State, we are still experiencing escalations such as this.

“Thus, there is need for mutual respect amongst all the parties. We are not unaware of the existing political impasse between the Legislature and the Executive Arms of Government in Rivers State, however, we must caution that the Judiciary should not be drawn into the ongoing imbroglio for no just cause.

“We reiterate that the independence of the Judiciary is crucial to the sustenance of peace and stability in the State, as contending parties ultimately resort to the Judiciary for the resolution of disputes as has recently been witnessed at the Supreme Court.

“There is no need to escalate tensions as the stability of Rivers State is crucial to the economy of the State and the Country. We can easily recall the incidents in 2014-2015 which exposed the Judiciary and Judicial Officers that resulted in the closure of our Courts. We cannot afford to experience a similar occurrence in the present times we find ourselves in the State, and especially for the interests of the good people of Rivers State to have their ongoing matters in Court without interruptions.”

Roberts noted that there is a prescribed procedure for handling issues of such stance, noting that any complaints against any judicial officer is handled by the National Judicial Council, NJC.

He noted that the Judiciary should not be intimidated or bullied by the bidding of any other arm of government, advocating for the use of democratic process and rule of law to resolve the political war in the state.

Roberts said: “Every action in the Public Service has a prescribed procedure which alI should respect and observe to forestall chaos and anarchy in the State. In the case of the Judiciary, any complaint against one of its officers is dealt with by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which alone has the authority to carry out any disciplinary action or authorize any investigation against any Judge.

“The need for the protection of the Judiciary cannot be overemphasized, as the Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man, and indeed everyone, including politicians. We continue to appeal to all contenders to sheath their swords and genuinely seek peace in the interest of Rivers State and the economy of Nigeria at large.”

By Francesca Hangeior

Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the fire incident on the Trans-Niger Delta Pipeline, but quickly assured residents of safety.

While confirming that the facility is operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, the police mentioned that two people have been arrested for questioning over the development.

The command noted that the incident happened Monday night, assuring that the situation had been brought under control.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, did not note if the development was caused by a militant group.

Iringe-Koko, in the statement, also did not mention if the fire was caused by an explosion or a spill that later got burnt.

She stated that a surveillance team in the area observed the fire incident and reported to the operators, adding that there was no further threat.

She said: “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that a fire incident occurred at the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) operated Trans Niger Delta Pipeline, located at the border of Kpor and Bodo communities.

“During a routine night patrol, security operatives observed the incident and promptly alerted SPDC management.

“The latter initiated necessary safety protocols, including shutting down the affected pipeline. As a result of swift intervention, the situation is now under control, and there is no further threat to residents or the environment.”

Iringe-Koko, however, disclosed that police have opened investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the fire, adding that two people have been arrested for interrogation.

“The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire. In connection with this, two individuals have been taken in for questioning as part of efforts to uncover any potential act of sabotage.

“The Command remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of criminal activities are identified and brought to justice.

“We urge residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them of our unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property. The Command will not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and maintain peace and security for all,” she added.